Mazda 323F aircon problem

I've traced it as far as the compressor solenoid / clutch / whatever isn't getting any power when the A/C is turned on. The light comes on on the dash, but the wire going to the compressor is dead (checked with a test lamp and voltmeter). All the other heater functions work OK, and the fuses (there seem to be three associated with it) are all intact.

If I run a wire directly from the compressor to the battery I can hear a 'clunk', the idle drops a bit, and it starts to blow cold - so it looks like wiring / relay / control PCB fault. Any pointers for getting at the heater controls, preferably without pulling the entire dash out?

Even after running it for 5 mins with the wire to the battery it was a bit feeble - so it'll probably need a re-gas as well sometime soon. Anybody tried the £30 kits you can get from Halfords etc? Or would I be better off going to an aircon specialist to get this bit done?

I would put £10 on the low pressure switch has disabled the compressor due to a low charge. Get it evac'd and recharged first, or at least the low side pressure read with the system at rest.

Tim..

Take it to an AC specialist. It probably only needs recharging, but as it's only £40 odd quid for a vac / dye / gas then you may as well let someone who knows what they're doing sort it.

OK, thanks, I'll have a look through the yellow pages tomorrow. Anyone got any recommendations for who to use? (Or who to avoid for that matter). I'm in Gloucester/Cheltenham area.

Seconded. All auto a/c systems leak. Could take years but eventually when the gas pressure drops below a certain point it trips out to protect the compressor. Unless you're very unlucky, a professional evacuation and refill with gas and oil, will restore it to full working order. Mike.

Use AC-Automotive Ltd Gloucester (01452 309983), they are the company that we use at work for the difficult jobs that our basic a/c kit cannot deal with! They are on LLantony road gloucester near the new college but also opperate a mobile service.

I've traced it as far as the compressor solenoid / clutch / whatever isn't getting any power when the A/C is turned on. The light comes on on the dash, but the wire going to the compressor is dead (checked with a test lamp and voltmeter). All the other heater functions work OK, and the fuses (there seem to be three associated with it) are all intact.

If I run a wire directly from the compressor to the battery I can hear a 'clunk', the idle drops a bit, and it starts to blow cold - so it looks like wiring / relay / control PCB fault. Any pointers for getting at the heater controls, preferably without pulling the entire dash out?

Even after running it for 5 mins with the wire to the battery it was a bit feeble - so it'll probably need a re-gas as well sometime soon. Anybody tried the £30 kits you can get from Halfords etc? Or would I be better off going to an aircon specialist to get this bit done?

The kits from Halfords are a waste of time. I got one when they were £20 to use on an Astra 1.6. The adaptors supplied would not fit and the gas didn't do anything. I would be tempted to see if the switch comes away and if the wire is broken anywhere. Check near to the compressor, see if it has a break and maybe join a foot or so on - chopping a piece out. If you don't want to go to any expense, check the feed and fuse to the compressor. If all else fails - fit your own switch! The aircon specialist is probably best to visit. He will be able to pinpoint comon problems on various cars.